Inquest into the Death of Aaron Stephen MARSH
Delivered on : 22 November 2019
Delivered at : Perth
Finding of : Coroner Linton
Recommendations : N/A
Orders/Rules : N/A
Suppression Order : Yes
On the basis it would be contrary to the public interest, I make an order that there be no reporting or publication of the details of any of the versions of the WA Police Emergency Driving Policy and Guidelines, including, but not limited to, any cap on the speed at which police officers are authorised to drive
Summary : The deceased at the time of his death was riding his motorcycle in Carlisle when police attempted to intercept the deceased to investigate why his licence plate was bent and to determine the registration.
On 24 August 2018 at approximately 2.45 am the deceased was seen by police officers to be stopped at a set of traffic lights on Orrong Road. He was stopped next to a vehicle being driven by his cousin. A police vehicle, containing two police constables stationed at the Cannington Police Station, pulled up behind them. Police checked the registration of the motor vehicle but were unable to check the registration of the motorcycle as the licence plate was bent upwards.
When the traffic signal turned green, both the motorcycle and motor vehicle moved forward. Police officers activated their emergency lights and sirens, calling on the deceased to stop the motorcycle. The deceased did not heed their request and accelerated away from them. The police vehicle accelerated their vehicle with the intention of intercepting the deceased. At the same time they advised police communications. Due to the unavailability of assistance with the intercept the police officers considered their options and made a decision to abort their attempted intercept of the motorcycle. The police vehicle executed a u-turn in an attempt to find the vehicle to ask questions of the driver.
The deceased continued riding in the same direction he had been travelling on Orrong Road at speed. The deceased was observed by a witness to approach the off ramp to Great Eastern Highway at high speed and did not successfully negotiate the ramp. The witness stopped his vehicle and with another motorist assisted the deceased who had crashed his motorcycle.
The inquest focussed on the conduct of the police prior to the crash. At the conclusion of the inquest hearing the Coroner observed that there was nothing in the evidence to suggest that the police officers involved had caused or contributed to the death.
The Coroner found the deceased died on 24 August 2018 at Royal Perth Hospital as a result of multiple injuries and death was by way of accident.
Catch Words : Police Intercept : Methylamphetamine : Motorcycle : Accident.
Last updated: 9-Jan-2020
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